Squirrel has a home - for now

"Squirrel" checks out Joerg Stadlmueller's glasses as he hangs out with his new dad at their home on Northwest 80th Avenue in the Forest of Golden Hills west of Ocala, Fla. on Thursday evening, Sept. 26, 2013.

Published: Friday, September 27, 2013 at 12:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 27, 2013 at 12:26 p.m.

These days, Joerg Stadlmueller is referring to himself as "squirrel dad" — all because of what appeared to be an orphaned infant squirrel his wife, Diana, found outside their door last month at their home in the Forest of Golden Hills.

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When Diana went outside one evening looking for her cats, she found one of them standing over the tiny squirrel, which still had its eyes closed. Diana tried to find someone who could take care of him, but had no luck.

The couple ended up bringing the squirrel inside and began feeding him puppy formula mixed with a little calcium, and also heavy cream through a syringe, after checking on the Internet for guidance on caring for a baby squirrel.

In order to keep him warm, they kept him on top of a warm water bottle.

"Squirrel," as they named him, ended up doing very well and grew out of his infancy in no time. It was eventually time to give him his own room, which turned out to be the room vacated by their youngest son, who is currently a freshman at Florida State University.

Instead of a bed, Squirrel sleeps in a large cage, complete with climbing trees. During the day he hangs out with his new "dad."

On a trip to Salt Springs State Park, the woman at the front gate advised Stadlmueller that he could take the squirrel into the park, but if a park ranger would spot him, he would be told to release the squirrel immediately.

Stadlmueller decided to turn around and not enter the park for fear of losing the squirrel before he was fully healed.

This story might tug at the heartstrings because Squirrel is cute and well cared for and is even being fed acorns at this point. But many animal experts advise against taking any wild animals out of their environment and away from their family. According to a fact sheet from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), "bringing the animal into your home to care for it may be the worst thing you could do" and may be illegal if the proper permits are not secured.

Squirrel is well traveled and has been all over the state of Florida. He has been in Sanibel Island, in the Dali Museum, the Florida Aquarium, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and has traveled back and forth from Ocala to Tallahassee several times.

Starting next week, Squirrel will have to limit himself to shorter trips and do his own traveling. The Stadlmuellers plan to release him in their backyard.

As a "security blanket" for him, they plan to place his cage outside and leave its door open.

"I hope that he becomes a squirrel among squirrels," Stadlmueller said. He also hopes that Squirrel might come back and pay a visit once in awhile.

<p>These days, Joerg Stadlmueller is referring to himself as "squirrel dad" — all because of what appeared to be an orphaned infant squirrel his wife, Diana, found outside their door last month at their home in the Forest of Golden Hills.</p><p>When Diana went outside one evening looking for her cats, she found one of them standing over the tiny squirrel, which still had its eyes closed. Diana tried to find someone who could take care of him, but had no luck.</p><p>The couple ended up bringing the squirrel inside and began feeding him puppy formula mixed with a little calcium, and also heavy cream through a syringe, after checking on the Internet for guidance on caring for a baby squirrel.</p><p>In order to keep him warm, they kept him on top of a warm water bottle.</p><p>"Squirrel," as they named him, ended up doing very well and grew out of his infancy in no time. It was eventually time to give him his own room, which turned out to be the room vacated by their youngest son, who is currently a freshman at Florida State University.</p><p>Instead of a bed, Squirrel sleeps in a large cage, complete with climbing trees. During the day he hangs out with his new "dad."</p><p>On a trip to Salt Springs State Park, the woman at the front gate advised Stadlmueller that he could take the squirrel into the park, but if a park ranger would spot him, he would be told to release the squirrel immediately.</p><p>Stadlmueller decided to turn around and not enter the park for fear of losing the squirrel before he was fully healed.</p><p>This story might tug at the heartstrings because Squirrel is cute and well cared for and is even being fed acorns at this point. But many animal experts advise against taking any wild animals out of their environment and away from their family. According to a fact sheet from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), "bringing the animal into your home to care for it may be the worst thing you could do" and may be illegal if the proper permits are not secured.</p><p>Squirrel is well traveled and has been all over the state of Florida. He has been in Sanibel Island, in the Dali Museum, the Florida Aquarium, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and has traveled back and forth from Ocala to Tallahassee several times.</p><p>Starting next week, Squirrel will have to limit himself to shorter trips and do his own traveling. The Stadlmuellers plan to release him in their backyard.</p><p>As a "security blanket" for him, they plan to place his cage outside and leave its door open.</p><p>"I hope that he becomes a squirrel among squirrels," Stadlmueller said. He also hopes that Squirrel might come back and pay a visit once in awhile.</p>